My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

offer some to anyone,

cake is

‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper

some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what

group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails,

sing the

her eyes and make

Rachel must blow out

Rachel shook her head to indicate to Julian that there was no need to go to such

the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice

she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her

children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that,

say thank you!” their parents instructed, standing

other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly

streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the

Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your

I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression

told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting

and headed

apartment and about to close

the door was propped open by a large hand from

Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like

on business? she

he slid sideways into the house and shut the door before surveying the

been getting

took two steps back. Why are

her as he pulled off his necktie and threw

like unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me

he approached her, forcing her back inch

idea what she

staggered after him and was dragged